Compactor bag and method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

A compactor bag includes opposed paper sheets which are joined at the edges and at one end in the manner of a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;flat&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; bag. A liquid impervious casing extends over the joined ends of the sheets and comprises a length of low density polyethylene which is folded and then heat sealed along the edges. The liquid impervious casing is secured to the paper sheets by separate and distinct joining systems each resistant to attack by a different substance. By this means the liquid impervious casing retains liquid in the compactor bag even though refuse containing substantial amounts of moisture and/or other deleterious materials is deposited in the bag.

United States Patent [191 Long [111 3,822,037 [451 July 2,1974

[5 COMPACTOR BAG AND METHOD or MANUFACTURE [75] Inventor: Donald V. Long, Dallas, Tex.

[73] Assignee: The Dalpak Corporation, Dallas,

Tex.

[22] Filed: Feb. 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 226,087

[52] U.S. Cl 229/53, 229/14 BE, 229/48 R, 229/48 T, 229/55 [51] Int. Cl B65d 33/02, B65d 31/04 [58] Field of Search 229/53, 55, 48 T, 14 BL, 229/14 BE, 48 R; 150/1; 206/46 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,262,111 11/1941 Moore 229/48 T 2,530,746 11/1950 Wetherb 150/1 X 2,788,821 4/1957 Marelle 229/48 T X 3,204,760 9/1965 Whitefor 229/48 T X 3,554,434 l/1971 Anderson 229/55 3,667,381 6/1972 Bottas et a1 229/53 X Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant Examiner-Stephen P. Garbe Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richards, Harris & Medlock [57] ABSTRACT A compactor bag includes opposed paper sheets which are joined at the edges and at one end in the manner of a flat bag. A liquid impervious casing extends over the joined ends of the sheets and comprises a length of low density polyethylene which is folded and then heat sealed along the edges. The liquid impervious casing is secured to the paper sheets by separate and distinct joining systems each resistant to attack by a different substance. By this means the liquid impervious casing retains liquid in the Compactor bag even though refuse containing substantial amounts of moisture and/or other deleterious materials is deposited in the bag;

5,Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEBJIII. 2 m4 SHEEI 1 (IF 2 BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved compactorbag and method of manufacture, and more particularly to a bag that is especially useful in refuse compacting operations in which liquids are likely to accumulate and to a method of manufacturing the bag.

As is well known, refuse compactors suitable for home use comprise a relatively new appliance that is currently gaining increased popularity. These devices typically include a refuse receiving bin mounted for movement between a refuse receiving position and a refuse compacting position and a ram adapted for reciprocation into and out of the bin when the bin is'in the compacting position. In the use of such a compactor, a bag is positioned in the bin and refuse is periodically deposited into the bag. From time to time thereafter the ram is actuated to compress the refuse. When the bag is full, it is removed and is discarded with the contents of compacted refuse intact.

It was originally thought that refuse compactors would be used to compress trash of the typethat cannot be handled by garbage disposers, i.e., paper and paperboard products, empty cans and bottles, bones, and similar substantially dry materials. However, it has been found that refuse compactors are often used to compress garbage and other materials which may contain liquids. This is especially true in the older urban areas which often do not have sewer systems which are adequate to permit the use of garbage disposers.

The use of refuse compactors to compress materials containing substantial amounts of liquids presents problems which were not contemplated when refuse compactors were first introduced. For example, accumulated liquids are often caused to stand in the bottom of a refuse receiving bin of a refuse compactor for as long as several days. Also, garbage may contain delete rious substances of the type commonly used in and around the home, for example, vinegar, bleach, etc. Finally, the very nature of garbage is often condusive to the growth of bacteria, mildew, and other microorganisms.

The co-pending application of Donald V. Long and Norwin Cedric Derby filed July 19th, l97l, Scr. No. l63.87(), relates to a Bag Insertion Device and Method which is especially adapted for use in conjunction with refuse compactors. In accordance with the Long and Derby invention, a bag is formed from approximately I pound basis weight paper and is of the type known in the industry as a llat bag. That is, the bag comprises two sheets which are secured along the edges and along the bottom to form an envelope type structure. The bag is opened to a rectangular configuration by means of a bag insertion device which is inserted intp the bag in a folded condition and then expanded to.

force the bag into the rectangular configuration. Thereafter, the bag insertion device is employed to install the bag in the refuse receiving bin of a refuse compactor.

It has been found that bags of the type disclosed in the prior Long and Derby application are well suited for use in refuse compacting operations of the type in which the material to be compacted is substantially dry.

On the other hand, the bags are not entirely satisfactory for use in: compacting operations of the type in which substantial amounts of liquid are likely to accumulate. This is because exposure of such a bag to standing liquid for an extended period of time weakens the bag to such an extent that it cannot properly be removed from the refuse compacting bin. Also, such a bag is subject to attach by the acids, etc. and by bacteria, mildew, and other microorganisms which are apt to grow in any wet or damp environment.

The present invention relates to a bag which is espe* cially adapted for use in compacting operations in which liquids are likely to accumulate. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention,-a bag comprises opposed paper sheets which are joined along the edges and along the bottom, and a casing formed from a liquid impervious material and mounted on the outside of the lower ends of the paper sheets. The casing is preferably formed from a single sheet which is folded at the bottom and joined along the sides and is secured to the paper sheets by at least two separate and distinct joining systems each resistant to attack by a different substance.

In use, the bag is installed in the refuse receiving bin in a refuse compactor by means of the bag insertion device disclosed and claimed in the above-identified Long and Derby application. Thereafter refuse, which may comprise substantial amounts of liquid, is deposited in the bag and is compacted by actuation of the ram of the compactor. Any liquid which'accumulatesin the bottom of the bag is retained by the liquid impervious casing even though the paper portion of the bag may be weakened due to extended contact with the liquid or otherwise. On the other hand, if liquid should escape at a point above the upper end of the casing, it is simply accumulated in the bottom of the bin and does not damage the bag due to the impervious nature of the case.

It should be noted that in some instances compactor bags have been provided with inner plastic liners. Compactor bags fabricated in accordance with the present invention are superior to lined bags in several respects. First, it has been found that it is difficult to securely join a plastic liner to a bag. Second, because bags are made linearly, a plastic liner must extend to the full height of the bag. Quite to the contrary, the liquid im' pervious casing of a compactor bag incorporating the present invention need extend only a few inches upwardly from the bottom of the bag. By this means a considerable cost savings is effected when the present invention is used.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

ing the device in its folded and extended configurations, respectively;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are perspective views illustrating progressive steps of a method of inserting the bag shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 into a refuse receiving bin; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8 in the direction of the arrows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 3 Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a compactor bag 10 incorporating the present invention. The bag 10 comprises opposed, flat sheets 12 and 14 which may be formed from relatively heavy paper, for example, 100 pound basis weight paper, or from other materials. If paper is used, the bag 10 is preferably rendered substantially liquid-tight by coating the surfaces of the sheets 12 and 14 with a polyethylene wax of the type commonly utilized in meat packaging. The sheets 12 and 14 may also be treated with a fungicide, an animal repellant, a deodorant, or other materials, if desired.

The sheets 12 and 14 comprising the bag 10 are equal in length and are substantially equal in width. However, the lower portion of the sheet 14 is somewhat wider than the sheet 12 to provide a pair of lips 16 and 18 at the upper end of the bag 10 and a pair of flaps 20. The flaps 20 are folded over the edges of the sheet 12 and are secured to the outer edges of the sheet 12 by means of a conventional adhesive, such as a hot melt adhesive, or the like. Similarly, the lower edges of the sheets 12 and 14 are joined by means of one of the various adhesive materials commonly employed in bag manufac ture. The bag 10 is therefore of the type known in the industry as a flat bag in that it comprises opposed, flat panels which are joined into an envelope type structure.

The compactor bag 10 further comprises an outer liquid impervious casing 22. The casing 22 extends over the lower ends of the paper sheets 12 and 14 and is secured to the sheets 12 and 14 by three separate and distinct joining systems 24, 26,.and 28. This feature comprises a very important aspect of the present invention in that the joining systems which are employed to secure the liquid impervious casing 22 to the paper sheets 12 and 14 are purposely chosen so that each system is impervious to a substance that might tend to destroy one of the other systems. For example, the joining system 24 can comprise a laxtex adhesive of the type commonly employed in bag manufacture, the joining system 26 can comprise one of the various resin adhesives, and the joiningsystem 28 can comprise a heat seal formed by passing the bag 10 between heated rollers and thereby partially melting the material of the liquid impervious casing 22 to join the casing 22 to the sheets 12 and 14. By this means the casing 22 is secured to the sheets 12 and 14 comprising the bag notwithstanding the nature of refuse that is ultimately deposited in the bagv The liquid impervious casing 22 is preferably formed from one of the various low cost thermoplastic materials. for example, a low density polyethylene. It will be understood, however, that the casing 22 may be formed from other polyolefin materials as well as from various materials not strictly classified as polyolefins. An important consideration in the selection of the material for the casing 22 is that it must be completely harmless to both humans and animals prior to, during. and after use and that it not deteriorate into a substance which is dangerous to animals or plants. The casing 22 is preferably formed by folding a single sheet of the selected material over the lower ends of the sheets 12 and 14 to form opposed edges 30. The edges 30 are then heat sealed to form a liquid impervious casing around the lower ends ofthe sheets 12 and 14 comprising the compactor bag 10. If any of the joining systems 24, 26, or 28 comprises an adhesive, a strip of the adhesive is preferably applied to the sheets before the liquid impervious material is folded over the ends of the sheets. On the other hand, if one of the systems 24, 26, or 28 comprises a heat seal, the seal is preferably formed after the liquid impervious material is in place and the edges 30 are joined.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a bag insertion device 32 which is utilized in the practice of the invention to open a compactor bag of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to a configuration characterized by predetermined length, width, and depth dimensions. As is most clearly shown in FIG. 3, the bag insertion device 32 comprises a pair of opposed panels 34 each including a central portion 36 which is substantially equal in breadth to the predetermined length dimension and which is substantially equal in height to the predetermineddepth dimension. Each panel 34 further includes a pair of end portions 38 which are hingedly connected to the central portion 36 along lines 40. The end portions 38 of the panels 34 are substantially equal in breadth to the predetermined length dimension and are substantially equal in height to onehalf the predetermined width dimension.

The upper and lower ends of the opposed panels 34 of the bag insertion device 32 are hingedly interconnected along lines 42. The lower end portions 38 of the panels 34 are provided with outer edges 44 which taper inwardly from the line 40 to the line 42, and the upper end portions 38 are provided with hand holes 46 which are formed through the end portions 38 on opposite sides ofthe line 42. The bag insertion device 32 is actuated by gripping the hand holes 46 and then applying opposed, inwardly directed forces to the opposite ends of the panels 34. This action pivots the end portions 38 relative to the central portions 36 of the panels 34, and is continued until the end portions 38 extend perpendicularly to the central portions 36, that is, until the component parts of the bag insertion device 32 are oriented as shown in FIG. 4. At this point the bag insertion device 32 comprises a rectangular structure having length, width, and depth dimensions substantially equal to the predetermined length, width, and depth dimensions.

The bag insertion device 32 may also be considered as comprising a pair of opposed side walls which are substantially equal in size to the predetermined length and depth dimensions, and normally folded top and bottom walls which are substantially equal in size to the predetermined length and width dimensions. The top and bottom walls and hingedly connected to the upper and lower ends of the opposed side walls and are extended upon the application of opposed, endwise directed forces thereto. By this means the bag insertion device 32 is extended from the folded condition shown in FIG. 3 wherein the bag insertion device is substantially flat to the open condition shown in FIG. 4 when the bag insertion device is substantially equal in size to the predetermined length, width, and depth dimensions.

The bag insertion device 32 may be formed from a unitary length of cardboard or similar material and may be fabricated by joining the ends of the length of material with staples, etc. In such a case the hinged connections between the central portion 36 and the end portions 38 of the panels 34 and between the opposite ends of the panels 34 comprise folds formed in the material. Those skilled in the art will realize that a more permanent type of bag insertion device may be constructed using stiff wire, metal panels, plastic sheets, or the like. In the case of a wire bag insertion device, the central and end portions of the opposed panels will comprise the outline of the central and end portions of the bag insertion device shown in the Drawings.

In the practice of the invention, the bag insertion device 32 is employed in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 to open a compactor bag 10 of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the predetermined length, width, and depth dimensions, and to install the bag 10 in a rectangular container, such as the refuse receiving bin of a refuse compactor. Referring first to FIG. 5, the lips 16 and 18 of the bag 10 are initially folded to provide cuffs 50. The bag insertion device 32 is then inserted into the bag 10. This step is preferably carried out with the bag insertion device in the folded condition shown in FIG. 3, whereby the bag insertion device 32 is simply slid between the sheets 12 and I4 comprising the bag 10.

After the bag insertion device 32 has been inserted into the bag 10, the bottom of the bag 10 is placedon a surface and an endwise directed force is applied to the bag insertion device 32. This action extends the bag insertion device 32 to the opened condition shown in FIG. 4 and simultaneously opens the bag 10 to the condition shown in FIG. 6. At this point the bag 10 is opened to substantially the predetermined length, width, and depth dimensions. It should be noted that since the liquid impervious casing22 encloses and is secured to the lower ends of the sheets 12 and 14, the opening of the bag 10 under the action of the bag insertion device 32 also opens the liquid imperviouscasing 22 to the predetermined length and width dimensions.

Because the compactor bag 10 is a flat bag, the opening of the bag 10 to a rectangular configuration precludes flaps 52 at the bottom of the bag. The flaps 52 arcpivoted upwardly in the mannerillustrated by the arrows 54. Thereafter, the bag insertion device 32 is employed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7 to install the bag l0 in a rectangular container 56. The container 56 has interior length, width, and depth dimensions which are substantially equal to but larger than the predetermined dimensions. Thus, the bag irisertion device 32 functions as a ram to fullyseat the bag 10 within the container 56.

When the bag 10 has been fully seated in the conminer 56, the bag insertion device 32 is removed from the container. 56 and the opened bag therein by grasping the hand holes 46 and pulling upwardly. This action returns the bag insertion device 32 to the folded condition illustrated in FIG. 3 and simultaneously withdraws the bag insertion device 32 from the container 56 and the bag 10 positioned therein. The bag insertion device 32 immediately returns to the folded condition upon the application of an upwardly directed force thereto and, accordingly, the bag insertion device 32 is withdrawnfrom the bag 10 without danger of dislodging the outer edges 44 of the lower end portions 38 whereby the bag insertion device 32 is fully separated from the and out of the housing 64. FIG. 8 further illustrates a compactor bag 10 of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 installed in the refuse receiving bin 60. It will be noted that the flaps 52 of the bag 10 extend upwardly along I the inner walls of the refuse receiving bin. This is highly advantageous since as is well known in the industry, bags tend to leak at the corners. Since the corners of the fiaps52 of the bag 10 are positioned substantially above the floor of the refuse receiving bin 60, the bag 10 is capable of retaining a substantial amount of liquid without danger of leakage.

In the use of the compactor 58, refuse is deposited into the bag 10 in the refuse receiving bin 60. From time to time, the drawer 62 is moved into the housing 64 and a ram (not shown) in the housing is reciproeated downwardly into the bin 50 to compress the refuse material therein. When the bag 10 is full, it is removed from the bin 60 and is discarded with its contents of compacted refuse intact. Thereafter, the bag insertion device 32 is employed to install another bag 10 in the bin 60 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 5,

- 6, 7, and 8.

insertion device 32 is further facilitated by the tapered Refuse compactors of the type shown'in FIG. 8 were originally designed for use in compacting substantially dry trash, such as paper, paperboard, empty bottles, empty cans, bones. and the like. That is, the original concept of a trash compactor was as an appliance for use in conjunction with a garbage disposer which was thought to be capable of handling food scraps and other refuse having asubstantial moisture content. To this end, the bagsthat have heretofore been supplied for use in refuse compactors were formed almost entirely from paper.

Paper compactor bags function satisfactorily in situations in which little if any liquid bearing material is deposited into the compactor bag for compaction. It has been found, however, that if a substantial amount of moisture bearing material is introduced into the bag, liquid will tend to accumulate in the bottom of the bag. Since the bag of a refuse compactor is typically changed infrequently, perhaps once a week, any liquid which is introduced into the bag may remain in the bottom of the bag for an extended period of time.

As is well known, almost any paper material which is allowed to remain in contact with liquid for an extended period of time will tend to weaken. If this occurs in a compactor bag, it is frequently impossible to remove the bag since any attempt to do so simply causes the bottom of the bag to tear away and to remain in the bottom of the bin. This permits the upper portion of the bag to slide out of the compactor bin while leaving the compacted refuse in the bin.

.The use of a compactor bag incorporating the present invention overcomes this difficulty and therefore permits the use of a refuse compactor to compress garbage and other moisture bearing materials. As is best shown in FIG. 9, liquid accumulating in a refusecompactor will tend to collect in the bottom of the bin below a point indicated generally by the line 66. If liquid remains in the bag long enough to deteriorate the paper sheets 12 and 14, or if a leak occurs, the liquid 7 is retained by the liquid impervious casing. When the bag is completely full of compacted refuse, it is simply lifted out of the bin with its contents intact. The liquid and the other contents of the bag are retained by the liquid impervious casing and therefore no danger of leakage is encountered.

Another situation that can develop in the use of a refuse compactor is that a leak will develop in an upper portion of the bag. Compactor bags incorporating the present invention are also useful in such circumstances because liquid from the leak will tend to flow down the interior walls of the compactor bin and accumulate in the bottom of the bin. The liquid impervious casing thus prevents the liquid from the leak from attacking and deteriorating the paper sheets comprising the compactor bag. The presence of the opening in the upper portion of the bag does not present a problem since it will rapidly dry and therefore will not be deteriorated by extended contact with standing moisture.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, it is necessary that the liquid impervious casing 22 remain attached to the paper sheets 12 and 14 in order for the compactor bag 10 to function properly. To this end, the joining systems 24, 26, and 28 which secure the casing 22 to the paper sheets 12 and 14 are located above a point corresponding to the maximum depth of liquid that is expected during use of the bag. It has been found that a compactor bag equipped with a liquid impervious casing having a height of about six inches when the bag is opened and secured to the paper sheets by joining systems located adjacent its upper edges will serve adequately in almost all circumstances.

As is also well known, garbage and similar refuse often contain various deleterious substances. For example, garbage may contain acidic and/or basic substances of the type commonly used in and around the home, i.e., vinegar, bleach, etc. Garbage may also contain material which tends to promote the growth of bacteria, mildew, and other microorganisms. Finally, substances having unknown chemical properties may result from the intermixing of various materials in the refuse receiving bin of a trash Compactor.

Due to these circumstances, the liquid impervious casing 22 of a compactor bag 10 incorporating the present invention is preferably secured to the sheets 12 and 14 of the bag by at least two separate and distinct joining systems. Each of these systems is adequate to secure the casing to the paper sheets without regard to the condition of the other system. More importantly, each joining system is preferably impervious to a substance which might deteriorate the cooperating system. In this way the interconnection of the casing and the paper sheets is maintained notwithstanding the nature of the material that is deposited into the bag.

In accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the Drawings, the liquid impervious casing is secured to the bag by three separate and distinct joining systems 24, 26, and 28. These comprise a strip of latex adhesive positioned between the casing and the sheets, a strip of resin adhesive positioned between the casing and the sheets. and a heat seal between the casing and the sheets. As has been indicated, each of these systems is designed to secure the casing to the paper sheets notwithstanding the condition of the other two systems. Finally, each of these systems is impervious to substances which might damage the other two systems, whereby the connection between the casing and the sheets is maintained regardless of the nature of the refuse which may be deposited into the bag.

It has been found that under normal circumstances the liquid impervious casing of a Compactor bag incorporating the present invention need only extend upwardly from the bottom of the bag to the extend indicated in the'Drawings, i.e., about six inches. This is advantageous in that by limiting the height of the liquid impervious casing, a cost savings is effected. However, in certain instances, it may be desirable to extend the liquid impervious casing further upwardly on the paper sheets. In any event it is unnecessary to extend the casing above the lower endsof the lips 16 and 18. Even this arrangement comprises a cost savings over bags incorporating an interior plastic liner in that in the latter structure it is necessary to extend the liner to the entire height of the bag.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the use of the present invention results in numerous advantages over the prior art. First, Compactor bags incorporating the invention are adapted for use in refuse compactors notwithstanding the nature of the refuse that is compacted in the Compactor. Bags incorporating the invention are therefore readily adapted for use in urban regions and other areas where the use of garbage disposers is not permitted or is otherwise impractical. Second, compactor bags incorporating the invention are extremely economical to manufacture. This is true because the liquid impervious casing does not add materially to the cost of the bags. Finally, as is more fully disclosed in the above-identified co-pending application of Long and Derby, bags incorporating the present invention are readily adapted to improve merchandising techniques in that they may be incorporated into a heat sealed package comprising a plurality of folded bags and a bag insertion device.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but is capable of rearrangement, modification, and substitution of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A bag for use in refuse compactors which comprises:

opposed, flat paper sheets joined along opposite edges and at one end to provide a bag having a closed bottom end and an open top end;

a liquid impervious casing surrounding the closed end of the bag and extending along the sheets to a point substantially displaced from the open top end of the bag; and

dual means securing the liquid impervious casing to the paper sheets for insertion therewith into a refuse receiving bin;

said securing means each being substantially impervious to attack by a substance that would weaken the other securing means and each having sufficient strength to secure the liquid impervious casing to the paper sheets notwithstanding the condition of r the other securing means.

2. The bag according to claim 1 wherein the joining means are located adjacent the upper end of the liquid impervious casing.

3. The bag according to claim 1 wherein the liquid impervious casing comprises a single length of a plastic film which is folded adjacent said one end of the sheets and is joined along the edges of the sheets to form the casing and wherein the sheets comprising the bag are formed from paper.

4. The bag according to claim 3 wherein the plastic 5 y film comprises a thermoplastic film and wherein the 

1. A bag for use in refuse compactors which comprises: opposed, flat paper sheets joined along opposite edges and at one end to provide a bag having a closed bottom end and an open top end; a liquid impervious casing surrounding the closed end of the bag and extending along the sheets to a point substantially displaced from The open top end of the bag; and dual means securing the liquid impervious casing to the paper sheets for insertion therewith into a refuse receiving bin; said securing means each being substantially impervious to attack by a substance that would weaken the other securing means and each having sufficient strength to secure the liquid impervious casing to the paper sheets notwithstanding the condition of the other securing means.
 2. The bag according to claim 1 wherein the joining means are located adjacent the upper end of the liquid impervious casing.
 3. The bag according to claim 1 wherein the liquid impervious casing comprises a single length of a plastic film which is folded adjacent said one end of the sheets and is joined along the edges of the sheets to form the casing and wherein the sheets comprising the bag are formed from paper.
 4. The bag according to claim 3 wherein the plastic film comprises a thermoplastic film and wherein the edges of the sheets are heat sealed.
 5. The bag according to claim 4 wherein the liquid impervious casing is formed from low density polyethylene. 